PRP for Hair Loss

What is Androgenetic Alopecia?

Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA), also known as hereditary thinning, is the most common cause of hair loss.  AGA is a genetic tendency that can be inherited from either your mother’s or father’s side of the family. This condition can start in the teens, twenties, or thirties, and may become more pronounced with age.  Hair loss or thinning is generally noted at the front and top of the scalp. The cause of hair thinning is a combination of genetics and the effect of your normal hormones on the hair root (follicle).

What treatments are available for Androgenetic Alopecia?

To most effectively treat your AGA, using topical minoxidil, and possibly oral medication is recommended.   Ideally, you should use these regularly for several months before you have a treatment with PRP.   

What is PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)?

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a mixture of plasma and platelets obtained from your own blood. Your blood is drawn using a sterile needle from a vein in your arm, and the plasma and platelets are then separated from the whole blood by spinning the test tube in a centrifuge.  The resulting solution of plasma and platelets (PRP) can then be injected back into your scalp to help increase the density/thickness of the hair on your scalp.

How well does PRP work for Androgenetic Alopecia?

Recent studies have shown that approximately 75% of patients will have an increased in the density of their hair after treatments with PRP. It typically takes 2 months after your first treatment to start seeing improvement. 

How many PRP treatments do I need to increase the thickness of my hair? 

The recommended treatment schedule is to have PRP injections every month for a series of three-five treatments and then every 4-6 months to maintain the increased thickness.

What are the risks of PRP injections into the scalp? 

Because PRP is obtained from your own blood, there are no foreign compounds or chemicals injected into your scalp. The injections themselves are done with a very fine needle and there is generally some mild pain during the injection procedure.   Afterwards, there can be bruising, a mild sensation of soreness, headache, slight swelling, or tingling.  Because the needle is so fine, there are no wounds or open sores that result from the injections and there is no need for any special care of the scalp afterwards. The risks of drawing the blood from a vein in your arm are the same as when blood is drawn for a standard laboratory test.  There can be an ache or pain in your arm during the blood draw, and a bruise may form at the site which can last for 1-2 weeks.

You should not receive PRP injections if you currently have cancer, or are pregnant or breast feeding.

What can I do after I have a treatment?

Is there anything that I need to avoid or cannot do after a treatment?  No. You do not need to restrict your activities after a treatment with PRP.

Is there anything that I need to avoid before my treatment appointment?

We recommend not having steroid injections into the scalp within a month before treatment. 

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